Dos slept curled up in her blanket on the couch all night. It was too cute and she was too cozy for us to usher her back to her bed..so we let her sleep there. When I woke up this morning she yawned a big yawn and wiggled down from the couch-going immediately to the front door. I don't think we will have to worry about any accidents with her or adult house training at all.
Dos went potty and trotted back to the front door ready to eat breakfast-which she ate with gusto.
She was having a happy, cuddly day until she realized it was bath time today-with her new medicated soap. She saw me bring out the hose and she put on the breaks. She is definitely over baths. After a bit of coercing (by that I mean carrying her) she ended up getting one of the most productive baths so far. This shampoo took, I would say, seventy percent of the smell out of her. The APA vet prescribed it to clear out her hair follicles-"sebolux" shampoo I believe it is called..and I will be researching its wonders tonight. After her reluctant bath, and the 10 minute contact time the soap needed to work, Dos was ready for a nap..or to sort of sulk in her crate for an hour, upset about yet another bath taking away from her doggy naps on the porch. Her dog personality is starting to come through now that she is getting better-she's sweet, yet stubborn..and we found out today, playful, yet on her own terms..
Dos has not been interested in toys. I got her a soft squeaky toy, just so she had something of her own..something to chew on if she ever got the notion.
She hadn't. She wasnt interested in ropes, bones, in stuffed toys.
What she is interested in-is chasing a ball...only if the other dogs are chasing it. Dos is competitive.
Today was the first time she exhibited any signs of playfulness. The dogs have been introduced, yet before today she hadn't shown any real signs of interest aim them except for a quick sniff.
But when the tennis ball went flying, along with the other dogs..(with the exception of Francis, who in his thirteen years has chased a ball one time) Dos went trotting after...complete with skidding under the table, lumbering after the ball. She only did this briefly-enough to display a need for a place in the pack with the other dogs. But, being as Dos is still not entirely well, she wore herself out in those few minutes. Those few minutes, however-were important minutes, in learning how to be a regular dog. 
It's so nice to see her with the other dogs as part of the pack! Glad she continues to make such great progress :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's a small step! I'm not sure she's been actually socialized with other dogs in a positive way...so we're taking little baby steps.:)
DeleteWhat a sweet, sweet girl. These are great stories and I'm so glad she's making progress. Thank you for caring so much about making her well - physically, spiritually, and emotionally! You're a good person.
ReplyDeleteShe's a good doggie. :)
DeleteShe's not hard to love...sweet as pie, doesn't lick your face, doesn't jump up, doesn't chew on things (so far!) She's a miracle dog.
love the updates! so glad to see how well dos is progressing. You are such an absolute hero! thank you for being such a good rescuer and new "mom" to dos. She is so lucky to have found you.
ReplyDeletei am the lucky one for having found Dos.
DeleteThanks for reading and keeping up with lil dos' story:)
such a great post! excited to hear more about Dos' personality as it continues to emerge
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy how much she's changed since day 1-and how much of it is starting to show.:)
DeleteI've followed this from the start, and good luck with the rehab, but just a quick note. We have a Cocker Spaniel, and he Loves the ball/catch, but it indifferent to other dogs. He came from a family with other dogs, and never hurt or abused in anyway, but he really is just indifferent to other dogs after a quick sniff. Just passing on in case Dos has the same mentality and it's not misjudged as a problem.
ReplyDeleteNot a problem at all-we were just surprised to see her play/move quickly at all!
DeleteOur oldest, Francis, is that way, too. He'll sniff...and be interested for maybe a second, until he realizes he's 'being a dog' and reverts back to his aloof self. ;)
Michael - My dog is kind of the same way. She's a Cocker Spaniel mix (cocker/akita/chow chow). She has very little interest in other dogs. She'll give them a good sniff and move along. Even as a pup, if I took her to a dog park, she would sniff one or two, then come sit on the bench next to me and stare at the other dogs like she thought they were crazy for being out there rolling around, running, and playing. My family always says that Kelsey doesn't know she is a dog. :) She's super sweet and no behavior issues, she just doesn't like doing the typical "dog things"!
ReplyDeleteIs this a cocker spaniel trait?
DeleteNot that I am aware of. I've been around others who play with each other non-stop. In my dogs case, I think it may be "spoiled only-dog syndrome". :)
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